Prevalence and risk factors associated with hypertension in the Chinese Qiang population

Our aim is to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with hypertension among the Chinese Qiang population. From September 2012 to March 2013, a cross-sectional study was conducted in urban and rural communities of the Qiang population using multistage cluster sampling. A total of 2676 people aged above 20 years were enrolled in the analysis. Standardized mercury sphygmomanometer was used to measure the blood pressure twice after a 10-minute seated rest, and the average blood pressure was obtained. The hypertension prevalence among the population aged above 20 years was 13.9%, and age-standardized prevalence was 12.3%. Male and female prevalence of hypertension, as well as the prevalence in urban and rural areas, all increased with age. There were no significant differences between males and females and between urban and rural residents. Among hypertensive patients, 44.2% were aware of their hypertension, 38.0% were undergoing antihypertensive treatment, but only 10.5% achieved blood pressure control. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of hypertension included age, low income, overweight and obesity, family history of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension in Chinese Qiang adults is significantly lower than the national level. Awareness, treatment, and control rates of hypertension were low in the Qiang population. Thus, hypertension-related health knowledge should be more aggressively delivered to improve public awareness and the capacity of community health services should be strengthened.